Pneumatic vehicle-gear.



L. J. PERKINS. PNEUMATIC VEHICLE GEAR. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12. 1910.

Patented June '7, 1910 I WWW/1 f Snucnloz alien n1 LOUIS J. PERKINS, 0FLEW ISTON, IDAHO."

PNEUMATIC VEHICLE-GEAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 7, 1910.

Application filed January 12, 1910. Serial No. 537,720.

To all wllom it my concern:

Be it. known that I, LOUIS J. Pnnnixs, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Le'wiston, in the county 01' Nez Perce and State of Idaho,have invented a new and useful Pneumatic Vehicle-Gear, of which thefollowingis a specification. j" It is the object of the presentinvention to provide 'an improved cushion gear for ve-' hicles of thattype designed to obviate the use of pneumatic tires upon the wheels ofthe vehicle.

One aim'of the invention is to provirle'a compact and simple device ofthis class and one which will not be unsightly nor in the way. 4

The present device embodies, as a cushion element, a pneumatic bodywhich is interposed between two relatively movable members and it iscontemplated that this body be reinforced at the point' of contact ofthe said members therewith so that it will not-b liable to become wornthrough and consd quently become useless.

\Vith the above and other objects in View, theinvention consists in theconstruction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawingsin which Figure 1 is a view partly in elevatiouand partly in section ofoneiof the devices applied to a vehicle akle. Fig. 2 is a verticallongitudinal sectionaliview therethrough on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig.3 is a plan view of the cushion element; and Fig. 4 is a horizontalsection on the line 4% ofFig. 1 looking in the direction indicated bythe arrows.

In'the drawings, the vehicle axle is indicated by the numeral '5 and hasmounted thereon the usual wheel (3 which may 'or may not be providedwith the pneumatie tire 'according to the wishes of the owner of thevehicle. The device embodying the present invention includes in itsstructure, two connected members one of which is movable with respect tothe other and of these members,

one is indicatedby the numeral 7 and the othcr by the numeral 8. Themember 7 in.- rludcs a body portion 9 which is practically flat and isdisposed and secured upon the axle5by means of suitable clips or othercuring devices 10. Froin this body/portion,

the member extends upwardly in a curve and is pivotally connected'as at11 to a corresponding portion of the meinbcr 8. The member 8 includes abody portion 12 which responding portion of the member 7 and the member7 isformed with an upstanding fiat arm 13 having formed thereon areinforcing,

; rib 14. This arm 13 is curved'in an arc J i is substantially of thesame form as the corswung up or down upon its pivot 1 1. it.

will be Understood of coursethal the rcrvption of thearnrlil m the box15 serves as a means for guiding the section 8 when movtion with respectto the section? vented.

The cushion element. of the structure is in the nature of an elongatedhollowbody 17 in which is inserted-an inflated body 18, said body 18filling the said body 17 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings. It will be observed that the body 17 is split as at 19 for theinsertion of the body 18 and this latter body is provided with the usualvalve 20 by which it maybe inflated. Itwill be observed that the body 17is formed is pre- '7 and 8 or more specifically the body portions ofthese members, are formed with dopressions to receive the prot uberanccsand this seating of the protubcranccs in the said depressions will notonly prevent the displacement of the cushion elementlaterally, but also)revent its displacement in the direction oi its length. It will beunderstood of course, that normally the cushion clement inmber' 7 andthat downward swinging of mg, and that lisplarcmcnt of the said sec-'upon its upper and upon its under side at tends to hold the member 8away from the v the member 8 must'be against the expansive force of thecushion element and must depress the same to a greater or less degree.

The downwardly projecting box is formed at its lower end with a lateralshelf 23 upon which rests and is secured abolster spring 24 in turnsupporting the vehicle body (not shown). The shelf 23 is formed with aloop 25 through which is passed a strap 26 passing about the axle 5. Itwill be understood of course that the weight of the vehicle body and itscontents is imposed upon the bolster springs 24: and that the cushionelements are compressed to a greater or less degree depending upon theweight.

It will also be understood that when the springs are relieved of weight,they will allow upward swinging movement of the niember 8 and aconsequent expansion of the inflated cushion element. it will beunderstood, limits the separation of the member 8 from the member '7 sothat the cushion element cannot become dislodged from its positionbetween the members 7 and 8.

From the foregoingit will be seen that there is provided an extremelysimple and compact. device of this type which is applicable topractically any vehicle and will obviate the necessity of providingtires upon the wheels thereof.

\Vhat. is claimed is:

1. In a. device of the class described, con- The strap 26,

nected relatively movable members, one of said members being axle suported and the other member beingadapted For the support of a vehiclebody, the first mentionedmemher being formed with an upstanding arcuatemember and the second mentione memher being formed with a downwardlypro-' 40' jecting' arcuate member receiving the hpstanding member,'whereby to relatively guide the sections when moving, and a pneumaticcushion interposed between said members. 2. In a device of theclass'described, a fixed member,- a member pivoted to the fixed member,the first mentioned member bein axle supported, the said first mentioned'memberhaving an n standing arcuate arm,

the second mentione memberha-vinga depending areuate hollow armreceiving the first mentioned arm, a pneumatic cushion arranged betweenthe members, the last mentioned member being formed with-a lateral shelffor the support of a vehicle spring, a 100 formed beneath the shelf andupon the sai second mentioned member, and an. axle engaging strapsecured through the loop.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto allixedmy slg'nature in the presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS ,J. PERKINS. \Vitnesses: SAMUEL A. Ron,

EUGENE SHIPLER.

